Peter Andresen had become known as a fixture of the Atlanta Police Department’s leadership team when he retired in June after more than 30 years with the force.
But after only two months out of the blues of an assistant police chief, Andresen has returned to crime fighting, this time with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
“I was really excited to come to work with Sheriff [Ted] Jackson,” he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I think it’s a natural progression for people to begin to think about a second career.”
The longtime lawman began working this month for Jackson as a lieutenant colonel, taking command of the sheriff’s law enforcement division.
“The sheriff wants to increase the law enforcement division’s profile throughout the city,” Andresen said. “If people get to have a better impression of the sheriff’s office, they’ll be more likely to call us when they need help.”
Andresen's duties include supervising roughly 100 deputies and civilians who, among other things, are responsible for serving warrants, transporting prisoners, sex offender location, and hostage negotiations. His responsibilities also include overseeing a K-9 unit, SWAT team and gang unit.
"His credibility is steeped in a sound reputation built over the years through his work product and service to the community," Jackson said.
Atlanta Police Chief George Turner on Monday afternoon told WSB-TV that Andresen was a valuable asset when in his former capacity, noting a recent conversation with the sheriff.
“Ted Jackson has already told me that he’s been helpful with his contacts in the first two weeks,” Turner said.
Andresen enjoyed a well-rounded career with APD. He joined the force in 1980 after moving from Flint, Mich., where jobs were scarce.
In 13 years, he rose to the rank of lieutenant, working as a beat officer in Zone 3, and as a field investigative [F.I.T. team] and detective and sergeant in his ascension.
As a lieutenant, he led APD’s Red Dog tactical drug unit and the evening watch of the motorcycle unit before being promoted to major in 1999 and commanding the police special operations section.
After a year commanding the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport precinct, Andresen was promoted in 2003 to deputy chief over criminal investigations, then over the field operations division, which included managing all six police zones, the airport, the crime analysis unit and Atlanta’s Police Athletic League.
In January 2010, Turner was named Atlanta’s interim chief and selected Andresen as his second-in-command as assistant chief.
Jackson approached Andresen about the Fulton job at Andresen’s going-away party.
“[Lt. Col. Andresen] is an innovator,” Jackson said.
Andresen has quickly set about using his contacts to help increase the sheriff’s office activity with the county’s recidivism task force.
From reaching out for grants to providing some direction for how the deputies can help the inmates at the Fulton County Jail transition back to civilian life without becoming repeat offenders, he has stressed working with the community where the jail is located to help convicts gain employable skills and be constructive community members.
“The big thing is not to arrest away the problem,” Andresen said. “We don’t want people getting out [of jail] without skills.”
Jackson said the sheriff’s office will be a better organization with Andresen on board.
Andresen said he hopes that what he brings to the table will help improve the entire organization.
“With partnerships and raising everyone’s professionalism, we’ll be a better agency,” he said.
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